At your service. I approach teaching music with a fun, enthusiastic and professional attitude. When I teach music, I know I am teaching more than just how to make sound out of an instrument. Through music we make connections with ourselves and others. For me personally it is a lifestyle, and it keeps me fulfilled. I started my music career with a purchase of a Rockwood Drum Set (an obscure brand most have never heard of) at the local Chicago Music Store here in Tucson. It was my eighth-grade year, and I played every day for hours starting with some early rock influences like Nirvana, Metallica, and the Offspring. I knew from that point that I would be a musician for the rest of my life. The feeling I got from playing my drums was that of freedom and exhilaration. Seeking to further my knowledge and passion, I joined the Drum Line in High School. I learned basics on how to use tools such as the metronome, rudiments, music notation, and introductory music theory. My Drumline Instructor was an incredible influence on me, and I keep his teachings with me to this day. In my senior year of High School, I received a full ride scholarship at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design. Thanks to my great instructors at SFUAD, I learned how to further my skill set with polyrhythms, odd time signatures, and live performance. My two focuses of study were African drumming, a style with complex blends of different time signatures and polyrhythms and the other was heavy metal/ hard rock, a style with an emphasis on speed, power, double bass techniques, and odd time signatures. In my 15 year musical career I have recorded in 3 different bands varying in style from Metal, Folk, and Jazz. I currently play in one of those bands as the drummer and lead vocalist. Why do I teach? My goal is to help you learn the styles of music you seek to play. My teachers have been some of the most important and influential people in my life. I want to share what I know with you so that you too can have your music take you where you want to go in life.
